Hydrocarbon blown polyurethane foam formulation giving desirable thermal insulation properties

ABSTRACT

Polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foam insulation described herein is derived from a composition that contains an organic polyisocyanate, an isocyanate reactive material containing at least about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of an aromatic polyester polyol, a hydrocarbon blowing agent, a first catalyst selected from the group consisting of a carboxylate salt of an alkali metal, a carboxylate salt of an alkaline earth metal, a carboxylate salt of a quaternary ammonium, and combinations thereof, and a second catalyst comprising a non-reactive tertiary amine, wherein a molar ratio of the first catalyst to the second catalyst is less than about 1.25, the composition gels quickly, and the composition has an isocyanate index greater than about 175. Such an insulating foam has a ratio of thermal conductivity at 75° F. to thermal conductivity at 25° F. between about 0.98 and about 1.10.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. App. Ser. No. 61/677,583 filedJul. 31, 2012. The noted application is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Embodiments described herein generally relate to polyurethanecompositions for thermal insulation. More specifically,polyurethane/polyisocyanurate compositions are disclosed that haveinsulating properties with improved temperature stability.

Description of the Related Art

Large scale commercial acceptance of closed cell rigid polyurethane orurethane-modified polyisocyanurate foams in the building insulationindustry has developed from the balance of properties such materialsprovide. Rigid polyurethane foams are known to provide outstandingthermal insulation, excellent fire performance and superior structuralproperties, all at reasonably low density. In general, such rigid foamsare prepared by reacting the appropriate polyisocyanate and isocyanatereactive compounds in the presence of blowing agents. The blowing agentof choice for polyurethane foam used in building insulation industry hasbeen hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons, such as cyclopentane, n-pentane,iso-pentane, iso-butane, provide desirable environmental characteristicsand physical properties and are more economical as compared to halogencontaining blowing agents such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),hydrohaloolefins. Hydrocarbon blowing agents have zero ozone depletionpotential and very low global warming potential. In addition they havedesirable vapor pressure characteristics, low gas phase thermalconductivity and acceptable health and safety attributes.

Polyisocyanates and isocyanate reactive compounds particularly suitedwith hydrocarbon blowing agents for use as building insulation have beendescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,248,802, 6,455,601, and 6,319,962, each ofwhich is assigned to Huntsman LLC. Though such polyurethane foams meetthe fire performance requirements, for example the ASTM E 84 tunnel testand the Factory Mutual 44450 calorimeter test, structural integrityrequirements such as compression strength and dimensional stability, asspecified for example in ASTM C 1289, and minimum thermal insulationrequirements, as specified for example in ASTM C1289, at 75° F. meantemperature, it has been recently discovered that they do not meet theminimum thermal insulation requirements of ASTM C1289 at a lowertemperature, 40° F. mean. This is evidenced by comparative examples inthis application and in Mark S. Graham, “R-value Concerns,” ProfessionalRoofing, May 2010.

It is highly desirable that the polyurethane foams used as insulation inbuildings provide good thermal insulation as measured by R-value perinch at all ambient temperatures. R-value per inch of foam insulationmaterial is generally measured according to ASTM C518, “Standard TestMethod for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of theHeat Flow Meter Apparatus” with a temperature differential of 20° F. orhigher around the mean temperature. Thus when R-value is measured at 75°F. mean temperature, one surface of the insulation may be at 55° F.temperature and other 95° F. temperature. Inside of a building arenominally maintained at 65-75° F. but the outside temperature may varyto 0° F. or lower and 110° F. or higher depending on geographic locationand time of the year. Of course, even at the same geographical location,temperature varies quite significantly between day and night and winterand summer. Thus it would be useful for polyurethane foam insulation toprovide good insulation performance at a broad temperature range aroundthe room temperature over a long period of time while meeting orexceeding fire performance and structural needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein include a composition that contains anorganic polyisocyanate, an isocyanate reactive material containing atleast about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition,of an aromatic polyester polyol, a hydrocarbon blowing agent, a firstcatalyst selected from the group consisting of a carboxylate salt of analkali metal, a carboxylate salt of an alkaline earth metal, acarboxylate salt of a quaternary ammonium, and combinations thereof, anda second catalyst comprising a non-reactive tertiary amine, wherein amolar ratio of the first catalyst to the second catalyst is less thanabout 1.25, and wherein the composition has an isocyanate index greaterthan about 175. The composition may be an insulating foam or a precursormixture of an insulating foam. Such an insulating foam has a ratio ofthermal conductivity at 75° F. to thermal conductivity at 25° F. betweenabout 0.98 and about 1.10.

An insulating member may be formed by forming a composition with anorganic polyisocyanate, at least about 20% by weight of an aromaticpolyester polyol, a hydrocarbon blowing agent comprising a C₄-C₆hydrocarbon, a first catalyst comprising a salt selected from the groupconsisting of a carboxylate salt of an alkali metal, a carboxylate saltof an alkaline earth metal, a carboxylate salt of a quaternary ammonium,and combinations thereof, and a second catalyst comprising anon-reactive tertiary amine, wherein a molar ratio of the first catalystto the second catalyst is about 1.25 or less, and dispensing thecomposition onto a substantially flat moving surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A rigid polyurethane/polyisocyanurate insulating foam member may be madethat has a ratio of thermal conductivity at 75° F. to thermalconductivity at 25° F. that is between about 0.98 and about 1.10. Suchinsulating members are useful in environments having diverse and/orhighly variable temperature conditions.

Insulating members may be made by a composition and a process forproducing closed cell rigid polyisocyanurate foam having a ratio ofk-factor at 75° F. mean temperature to that at 25° F. mean temperatureequal to or greater than 0.98 that uses a reaction mixture having aminimum of 50% by weight based on the total weight of the foam formingcomposition of an organic polyisocyanate, a minimum of 20% by weightbased on the total weight of the total foam forming composition of anaromatic polyester polyol, hydrocarbon blowing agent, carboxylate saltof an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a quaternary ammonium asa first catalyst, a non-reactive tertiary amine as a second catalyst,and auxiliary substances and/or additives. A molar ratio of the firstcatalyst to the second catalyst is typically less than about 1.5, suchas less than about 1.25, and the two catalysts are present in thereaction mixture in an amount such that the string time of the reactionmixture at the manufacturing condition is less than about 30 seconds.

A composition meeting the description above may be dispensed onto amoving surface, for example by spraying or extruding, to form a flatinsulating foam member having the properties above. The moving surfacemay facilitate controlling the foam formation reaction by controllingtemperature rise in the composition such that structural properties ofthe foam member develop at a desired rate. In this way, the process maybe controlled with precision to allow optimal subsequent processing ofthe foam members.

Organic Polyisocyanate

Organic polyisocyanates suitable for use in embodiments described hereininclude any of the polyisocyanates known in the art for the productionof rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams. Such organicpolyisocyanates include aromatic, aliphatic and cycloaliphaticpolyisocyanates and the combinations thereof. In particular the organicpolyisocyanates include aromatic polyisocyanates such as diphenylmethanediisocyanate in the form of its 2,4′-, 2,2′- and 4,4′-isomers andmixtures thereof, the mixtures of diphenylmethane diisocyanates (MDI)and oligomers thereof known in the art as “crude” or polymeric MDI(polymethylene polyphenylene polyisocyanates) having an isocyanatefunctionality of greater than about 2.0. Polyisocyanates modified withvarious groups containing ester groups, urea groups, biuret groups,allophanate groups, carbodiimide groups, isocyanurate groups, uretdionegroups and urethane groups may also be used. Such modified isocyanatesand methods for their preparation are known in the art. A most preferredisocyanate is those PMDI with diphenyl methane diisocyanate content ofabout 15 to about 42% by weight based on 100% by weight of theisocyanate.

The amount of organic polyisocyanates is typically about 45-75%, morepreferably about 50-70% and most preferably about 53-65% by weight basedon 100% of the total foam formulation. The amount of organicpolyisocyanate in rigid polyisocyanaurate foam composition is oftenexpressed in terms of isocyanate index which is defined as the actualamount of polyisocyanate used divided by the theoretically requiredstoichiometric amount of polyisocyanate required to react with all theactive hydrogen in the reaction mixture, multiplied by 100. Isocyanateindex is often expressed as (moles of isocyanate functionalities/molesof active hydrogen functionalities) times 100. The isocyanate index istypically about 175-650, more preferably about 200-500 and mostpreferably about 225-400.

Aromatic Polyester Polyol

Suitable aromatic polyester polyols include those prepared by reactionof a polycarboxylic acid and/or a derivative thereof or an anhydridewith a polyhydric alcohol, wherein at least one of these reactants isaromatic. The polycarboxylic acids may be any of the known aromatic,aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, and/or heterocyclic polycarboxylic acids andmay be substituted, (e.g., with halogen atoms) and/or unsaturated.Examples of suitable aromatic polycarboxylic acids are: phthalic acid,isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, and trimellitic acid. Suitablearomatic polycarboxylic acid derivatives are: dimethyl or diethyl estersof polycarboxylic acids such as phthalic acid, isophthalic acid,terephthalic acid, and trimellitic acid. Examples of suitable aromaticanhydrides are phthalic anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, andpyromellitic anhydride.

Examples of suitable aliphatic polycarboxylic acids and anhydridesinclude oxalic acid, malonic acid, glutaric acid, pimelic acid, succinicacid, adipic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, glutaricacid anhydride acid, maleic acid, maleic acid anhydride, fumaric acid,and dimeric and trimeric fatty acids, such as those of oleic acid whichmay be in admixture with monomeric fatty acids.

While the polyester polyols can be prepared from substantially purereactant materials as listed above, more complex ingredients may beadvantageously used, such as the side-streams, waste or scrap residuesfrom the manufacture of phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, terephthalicacid, dimethyl terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, and the like.Simple esters of polycarboxylic acids may also be used such asterephthalic acid dimethylester, terephthalic acid bisglycol andextracts thereof.

The polyhydric alcohols suitable for the preparation of polyesterpolyols may be aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, and/or heterocyclic.The polyhydric alcohols optionally may include substituent which areinert in the reaction, for example, chlorine and bromine substituent,and/or may be unsaturated. Suitable amino alcohols, such asmonoethanolamine, diethanolamine or the like may also be used. Examplesof suitable polyhydric alcohols include ethylene glycol, propyleneglycol, polyoxyalkylene glycols (such as diethylene glycol, polyethyleneglycol, dipropylene glycol and polypropylene glycol), glycerol andtrimethylolpropane. Examples of suitable aromatic polyhydric alcoholsare 1,4, benzene diol, hydroquinone di (2-hydroxyethyl) ether, bis(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate, and resorcinol.

There are a number of aromatic polyester polyols commercially available.STEPANPOL® PS-2352, PS-2412, PS-3152, PS-2402, PS-2002 are some suchpolyols manufactured by the Stepan Company. ISOEXTER® 3061, 4404 aresome such polyols, manufactured by Coim USA, Inc. Terate® 3510, 3512,2541, 4420 are some such polyols, manufactured by Invista Corporation.Terol® 563, 1154, 250 are some such polyols manufactured by Oxid, Inc.

The amount of aromatic polyester polyols organic is typically about20-40%, more preferably about 25-35% and most preferably about 27-33% byweight based on the total foam formulation.

Hydrocarbon Blowing Agent

One or more hydrocarbon blowing agents which are vaporizable under foamforming conditions may be used. Such hydrocarbon blowing agent aregenerally unsubstituted C₄-C₆ aliphatic or cycloaliphatic compounds withboiling point of 70° C. or less at one atmosphere. Suitable hydrocarbonsinclude butane, isobutane, isopentane, n-pentane, cyclopentane,1-pentene, n-hexane, iso-hexane, 1-hexane, n-heptane, isoheptane, andmixtures thereof. Preferably the hydrocarbon blowing agent isisopentane, n-pentane, cyclopentane or mixtures thereof. For example, ablend of isopentane to n-pentane in a ratio of 80:20 to 80:20 parts byweight may be used as a blowing agent.

Other physical blowing agents such as vaporizable non-hydrocarbons mayalso be used in the present process in combination with the hydrocarbonblowing agents. Suitable blowing agents include1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa), 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane(HFC-365mfc), 1,1,1,2-tetrafluorethane (HFC-134a), 11-difluoroethane(HFC-152a), difluoromethane (HFC-32). In addition, the suitable otherblowing agents include hydrofluoroalkenes such as of1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd),1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (HFO-1336mzz), and2,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (HFO-1234yf) along with any or all isomersincluding stereo-isomers (e.g., cis-, trans-, or mixture thereof).

The blowing agent component may also include one or more chemicalblowing agents. For example, water and/or carboxylic acids which reactwith isocyanate under foam forming conditions to liberate CO₂.

The blowing agents are employed in an amount sufficient to give theresultant foam the desired density between 1.2 to 4.2 lb/cu.ft,preferably 1.3 to 3.5 lb/cu. ft., and most preferably 1.4 to 3.0 lb/cu.ft. The hydrocarbon blowing agent should be used in an amount of fromabout 2% to about 20% and preferably from about 4% to about 15% byweight based on the weight of the entire reaction system. In someembodiments, the reaction system contains at least 0.2% and less than 2%by weight of water relative to the total weight of the reaction system.In other embodiments, water is at least 0.1% by weight of the totalweight of the reaction system but less than 1.5%, 1.0%, or 0.5% byweight of the reaction system. These blowing agents may be mixed intothe isocyanate-reactive component, the isocyanate component and/or as aseparate stream to the reaction system.

Carboxylate Salt of an Alkali Metal, an Alkaline Earth Metal or aQuaternary Ammonium as Catalyst

The trimerization catalyst may be an alkali metal carboxylate salt, analkaline earth metal carboxylate salt, a quaternary ammonium carboxylatesalt, or any combination thereof. Such carboxylate salts can be have thegeneral formula Z—COO-M, wherein Z is a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₁₇alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or arylalkyl, any of which are substituted orunsubstituted, and M is an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth metalion, or a quaternary ammonium ion.

Examples of alkyl groups which can be present in the carboxylate saltinclude methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl,nonyl, or decyl, and the like. Examples of alkenyl groups includeethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, octenyl,nonenyl, decenyl, and the like. Aryl and arylalkyl groups includephenyl, tolyl, benzyl, dimethylphenyl, trimethylphenyl, phenylethyl,phenylpropyl, phenylbutyl, propyl-2-phenylethyl, and the like. PreferredZ is a hydrogen atom, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, or octyl. Most preferred Z is a methyl, ethyl, 2-ethyl hexyl oroctyl.

Examples of alkali metal ions, M are lithium, sodium, potassium, andrubidium. Examples of alkali earth metal ions, M are magnesium andcalcium. Quaternary ammonium ions useful in embodiments described hereininclude tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, tetrapropylammonium,tetrabutylammonium, trimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium,triethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium, tripropyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium,tributyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium, trimethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium,triethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium, tripropyl(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium,tributyl(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium,dimethylbenzyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium,dimethylbenzyl(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium, and the like, or any combinationthereof. Preferred metal ions are potassium and sodium and mostpreferred are potassium. Preferred ammonium ion istrimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium.

Useful carboxylate salts include potassium formate, potassium acetate,potassium propionate, potassium butanoate, potassium pentanoate,potassium hexanoate, potassium neohexanoate, potassium heptanoate,potassium octoate, potassium neooctoate, potassium 2-ethylhexanoate,potassium decanoate, potassium butyrate, potassium isobutyrate, sodiumoctoate, lithium octoate, trimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium formate,trimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium 2-ethylhexonate and the like, or anycombination thereof. Most preferred carboxylate salt is potassiumacetate, for example Pel-Cat® 9650 or Polycat® 46, potassium2-ethylhexanoate, for example Pel-Cat® 9540a, Polycat® K-15, or Dabco®T-45, trimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium formate, for example Dabco®TMR-2, trimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium 2-ethylhexonate, for exampleDabco® TMR, or any combination thereof.

Non-Reactive Tertiary Amine Catalyst

Suitable classes of non-reactive tertiary amines are trialkylamines,alkyl/alkylaryl amines, aliphatic polyamines, cyclic amines, etheramines, and saturated heterocyclic amines. Suitable catalytictrialkylamines include trimethylamine; triethylamine, for example Dabco®TETN; and tributylamine. Suitable catalytic alkyl/alkylaryl aminesinclude N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine, for example JEFFCAT® DMCHA;N,N-diethylcyclohexylamine; N,N-dimethylbenzylamine, for exampleJEFFCAT® BDMA; N-methyl dicyclohexylamine, for example Polycat 12;N,N-dimethylaniline; N,N-diethylaniline; andN,N,N′,N′-tetrametyl-1,4-phenylenediamine. Suitable catalytic aliphaticpolyamines include N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine, for exampleTOYOCAT® TE; N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylhexanediamine, for example TOYOCAT®MR; N,N,N′,N′-tetraethylethylenediamine;N,N,N′,N′-tetrmethylpropylendiamine, for example PC CAT® TMPDA; andN,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,3-butanediamine. Suitable catalytic aliphaticpolyamines catalysts with three tertiary amines includeN,N,N″,N″-tetrmethyldipropylentriamine, for example Polycat® 15;N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylentriamine, for example JEFFCAT® PMDETA;N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldipropylentriamine, for example JEFFCAT® ZR-40;and 1,1,4,7,7-pentamethyldiethylene-triamine. Suitable catalyticaliphatic polyamines catalysts with four tertiary amines includetris(dimethylaminopropyl)amine, for example Polycat® 9;tris[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine;N,N′-bis-(dimethylaminopropyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamaine;hexamethylen-triethylene tetramine; andN-dimethylaminopropyl-N,N′,N″-tetramethyldiethylene triamine. Suitablecatalytic aliphatic polyamines catalysts with five tertiary aminesinclude N,N″-bis-(dimethylaminopropyl)-N,N′,N″-trimethyldiethylenetriamine.

Useful cyclic tertiary amines include triethylenediamine, also known asdiazabicyclooctane, an example of which is JEFFCAT® TD-100; 1,4-ethylenepiperidine, also known as quinuclidine and Quincat; imidazole compoundssuch as N-methylimidazole, for example PC CAT® NMI;1,2-dimethylimidazoles such as TOYOCAT® DMI;N,N′,N″-dimethylaminopropylhexahydrotriazines such as JEFFCAT® TR-90;hexahydro-1,3,5-tris[3(N, N-dimethylamino)ethyl]-1,3,5-triazine; hexahydro-1,3,5-tris[3(N, N-ethylmethylamino)propyl]-1,3,5-triazine;hexahydro-1,3,5-tris[3(N,N-diethylamino)propyl]-1,3,5-triazine;hexahydro-1,3,5-tris[3(N, N-dimethylamino)butyl]-1,3,5-triazine;1,8-diazabicyclo(5,4,0)undecene-7, for example Polycat® DBU; etheramines such as bis[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)alkyl]ethers, for examplebis-[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl]ether, also known as JEFFCAT® ZF-20; andN,N,N′-trimethyl-N′-(dimethylaminoethyl)-bis-aminoethyl)-ether.

Useful saturated heterocyclic tertiary-amines include compounds such asN-methylmorpholine, for example JEFFCAT® NMM; N-ethylmorpholine, forexample JEFFCAT® NEM; N,N-dimethylaminoethyl morpholine, for exampleDabco® XDM; N,N′-dimorpholinodiethylether, for example JEFFCAT® DMDEE;N, N′-dimethylpiperazine, for example JEFFCAT® DMP; andN-methyl-N′-(2-dimethylamino)ethyl-piperazine, for example TOYOCAT® NP.

Another class of polyamine which can be used as a second catalyst are2,4,6-tris(N, N-dialkylaminomethyl)phenols such as 2,4,6-tris(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)phenol, for example Dabco® TMR-30, which contain aphenolic hydroxyl group.

The above non-reactive tertiary amines can also be used as their acidblocked derivatives, wherein the acid is carboxylic acid, sulphonicacid, phenolic acid, acetic acid and fatty acid. Suitable carboxylicacids include formic, acetic, propionic, butanoic, butyric, isobutyric,hexanoic, heptanoic, octanoic, 2-ethyl-hexanoic, nonanoic, decanoic,undecanoic, and dodecanoic. Suitable fatty acid include myristic,palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, ricinoleic. Preferredacid include formic acid, 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, acetic, phenolic acidand adipic acid. Some examples of commercially available acid blockednon-reactive tertiary amine catalysts are Dabco® 8154, Polycat® SA-1,and Polycat® SA-102. Depending on the catalyst selected, mixtures of twoor more catalysts may be used.

Amounts of Catalyst

The molar ratio of first catalyst to second catalyst is less than about1.5, such as less than about 1.25, for example less than about 1.0, andthe total amount of first and second catalyst in the composition is suchthat the string time at the manufacturing condition is less than about30 seconds. As illustrated in Examples below, when the foam formulationis such that the molar ratio of first catalyst to second catalyst isless than about 1.5, for example less than about 1.25, the foam retainsall desirable structural and insulating properties for commercialapplication while also achieving a ratio of k-factor at 75° F. meantemperature to that at 25° F. mean temperature less than 0.98, providingexcellent insulation irrespective of season.

The catalysts described above may be formulated as blends with diluentsthat may be non-catalytic components such as diethylene glycol ordipropylene glycol, primarily to facilitate handling of the product.When calculating the molar ratio of first to second catalyst, only theactive ingredients are considered.

Along with the molar ratio of first to second catalyst defined above,the total amount of catalyst in the composition is typically such thatthe string time of the foam formulation at the manufacturing conditionis less than 30 seconds. String time is measured by putting the thinedge of a wooden, medical tongue depressor into expanding foam onceevery second and observing when a trail of strings is pulled by thetongue depressor from the expanding foam. The string time is defined asthe length of time after mixing of the isocyanate with remainingchemicals to the point when a string is first pulled. A string time ofless than 30 second, preferably less than 20 seconds and more preferablyless than 15 second at the chemical temperature of 80-95° F., typical intoday's manufacturing, allows sufficient time for curing the foam forhandling in typical production processes.

Tack free time is the time required from initial mixing for the foam toachieve a condition such that an exposed surface thereof is tack freewhen contacted lightly by the flat side of wooden, medical tonguedepressor. A tack free time of less than 40 second, preferably less than35 seconds and more preferably less than 30 second at the chemicaltemperature of 80-95° F., typical in today's manufacturing, alsofacilitates handling in typical production processes.

To achieve the desired string time and tack free time, the secondcatalyst is typically present in the composition at a concentration ofat least about 3.0 millimoles per 100 grams of the composition, forexample at least about 4.0 millimoles per 100 grams, or at least about4.5 millimoles per 100 grams.

Auxiliary Substances and/or Additives

The foam composition may also contain various auxiliary agents andadditives as needed for a particular purpose and known in the art.Suitable auxiliaries and additives include crosslinking agents, such astriethanolamine and glycerol; foam stabilizing agents or surfactants,such as siloxane-oxyalkylene copolymers; oxyethylene-oxyalkylenecopolymer; flame retardants such as organo-phosphorous compounds, whichincludes organic phosphates such as triethyl phosphate, phosphites,phosphonate such as diethyl ethyl phosphonate, polyphosphates,polyphosphites, polyphosphonate, ammonium polyphosphate, and halogenatedcompounds such as tris(2-chloropropyl)-phosphate, tetrabromophthalateesters, and chlorinated parrafins; catalysts other than those describedearlier; viscosity reducers such as propylene carbonate,1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone; infra-red opacifiers such as carbon black,titanium dioxide, and metal flakes; cell-size reducing compounds such asinert, insoluble fluorinated compounds and perfluorinated compounds;reinforcing agent such as nano-clay, glass fibers and ground up foamwaste; mold release agents such as zinc stearate; antioxidents such asbutylated hydroxy toluene; and pigments such as azo-/diazo dyestuff andphthalocyanines.

In addition the foam composition may also contain isocyanate-reactivepolyols other than the aromatic polyester polyols. Examples of polyolsinclude polyether polyols, aliphatic polyester polyols and mixturesthereof, having equivalent weights from about 40 to about 4000 ofpreferably about 50 to about 3000 and average hydroxyl functionalitiesof about 2 to about 8 and preferably about 2 to about 6. Furtherexamples of suitable polyol include active hydrogen-terminatedpolythioethers, polyamides, polyester amides, polycarbonates,polyacetals, polyolefins and polysiloxanes.

Amount of such additives are generally between about 0.1-20%, preferablybetween about 0.3-15% and most preferably between about 0.5-10%, byweight based on 100% of the total foam formulation.

Ratio of k-factor at 75° F. to that at 25° F.

The insulating members made using the insulating foams described hereintypically have a ratio of k-factor at 75° F. to k-factor at 25° F. thatis between about 0.98 and about 1.10. The k-factor is a measurement ofthe thermal conductivity of insulating materials, in this case the rigidpolyisocyanurate foam. The lower the k-factor of the rigid foam thebetter its insulating property. The k-factor of foam is nominallymeasured by following ASTM C578 with a temperature differential betweenthe plates of 40° F. and using a 8″×8″×1″ thick or larger foam cut fromthe core of the produced foam within the first week of production.

The rigid polyisocyanaurate foams described herein may be produced inthe form of slabstock, mouldings, cavity filling, sprayed foam, frothedfoam or laminates with other material such as paper, metal, plastics, orwood-board.

EXAMPLES

The following materials are referred to in the examples:

STEPANPOL® PS-2352: An aromatic polyester polyol product of hydroxylvalue 235 mg KOH/g available from Stepan Company, of Northfield, Ill.The aromatic polyester polyol content of this polyol is above 80% byweight.

STEPANPOL® PS-3152: An aromatic polyester polyol product of hydroxylvalue 315 mg KOH/g available from Stepan Company. The aromatic polyesterpolyol content of this polyol is above 80% by weight.

Terol® 563: An aromatic polyester polyol product of hydroxyl value 245mg KOH/g available from Oxid L.P. The aromatic polyester polyol contentof this polyol is above 80% by weight.

ISOEXTER® 4404-US: An aromatic polyester polyol product of hydroxylvalue 238 mg KOH/g available from Coim USA, Inc., of West Deptford, N.J.The aromatic polyester polyol content of this polyol is above 80% byweight.

ISOEXTER® 3061-US: An aromatic polyester polyol product of hydroxylvalue 319 mg KOH/g available from Coim USA, Inc. The aromatic polyesterpolyol content of this polyol is above 80% by weight.

Terate® 3510: An aromatic polyester polyol product of hydroxyl value 243mg KOH/g, from INVISTA, of Wichita, Kans. The aromatic polyester polyolcontent of this polyol is above 80% by weight.

Polyether polyol A: An aromatic amine-based polyether polyol of hydroxylvalue 500 mg KOH/g and a viscosity of 18000 cPs at 25° C.

Polyether polyol B: A sucrose glycerol based polyether polyol ofhydroxyl value 360 mg KOH/g and a viscosity of 2500 cPs at 25° C.

PEL-CAT® 9540-A: A 70% solution of potassium 2-ethylhexanoate (alsoknown potassium octoate) in diethylene glycol available from EleCorporation, of Lyons, Ill.

PEL-CAT® 9650: A 25% solution of potassium acetate in diethylene glycolavailable from Ele Corporation.

DABCO® TMR-2: A 51% solution of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-N-trimethylammoniumformate in dipropylene glycol available from Air Products and Chemicals,Inc., of Allentown, Pa.

JEFFCAT® PMDETA catalyst: N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylentriamine, anon-reactive tertiary amine catalyst available from Huntsman LLC, of TheWoodlands, Tex.

JEFFCAT® DMCHA catalyst: N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine, a non-reactivetertiary amine catalyst available from Huntsman LLC.

JEFFCAT® ZF-22 catalyst: A 70:30 mixture ofbis-[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl]ether in dipropylene glycol, anon-reactive tertiary amine catalyst available from Huntsman LLC.

JEFFCAT® BDMA catalyst: N,N-dimethylbenzylamine a non-reactive tertiaryamine catalyst available from Huntsman LLC.

JEFFCAT® DMEA catalyst: N,N-dimethylethanolamine, a reactive tertiaryamine catalyst available from Huntsman LLC.

JEFFCAT® ZR-50 catalyst: 2-propanol,1-(bis(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)amino), a reactive tertiary aminecatalyst available from Huntsman LLC.

JEFFCAT® DPA catalyst: 2-propanol,1,1′-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)imino)bis, a reactive tertiary aminecatalyst available from Huntsman LLC.

TCPP: Tri(beta-chloropropyl)phosphate available from LanxessCorporation, of Pittsburgh, Pa.

TEP: Triethyl Phosphate available from Eastman Chemical Corporation, ofKingsport, Tenn.

SAYTEX® RB79: A bromine-containing diester/diol of tetrabromophthalicanhydride available from Albemarle Corporation, of Baton Rouge, La.

VORASURF® 504: a non-silicone surfactant available from Dow ChemicalCo., of Midland, Mich.

SILBYK® TP 3805: A polyether-modified polysiloxane surfactant availablefrom BYK Chemie, of Wallingford, Connecticutt.

TEGOSTAB® B 8535: A polyether-modified polysiloxane surfactant availablefrom Goldschmidt Polyurethane Additives, of Essen, Germany.

Cyclopentane: Available from ExxonMobil Chemical Company, of Houston,Tex., and having purity >95%.

Isopentane: Available from ConocoPhillips, of Houston, Tex., and havingpurity >97%.

N-Pentane: Available from ConocoPhillips and having purity >97%.

RUBINATE® 1850 isocyanate: A high functionality polymethylenepolyphenylene polyisocyanate of NCO value 30.6% available from HuntsmanLLC.

Example 1

Rigid polyisocyanurate foams were prepared from the formulations setforth in Table 1 below using an Edge-Sweets high pressure impingementmix, foam dispensing machine. All components listed except the pentanesand isocyanate were mixed and added to the “polyol side” tank of anEdge-Sweets machine. An appropriate amount of pentane, based on thecompositions set forth in Table 1, was then added to the polyol side andmixed vigorously using an air-mixer attached to the tank. The isocyanatewas then added to the “isocyanate side” tank attached to the dispensingmachine.

Metered amounts of material from the polyol side tank and isocyanateside tank were injected into the two sides of the high pressureimpingement mixing chamber, mixed and dispensed into a 14″ wide, 4″ deepand 36″ long mold, lined on both side with fibrous glass mat facer. Themold sat on a conveyor having a flat surface that moved when the foamwas poured into the mold. The conveyor speed was adjusted so that a“just fill” foam board with cell orientation typical of a commerciallaminate production process was obtained. Following conditions were usedto make all laminates:

Chemical throughput = 23 lb/min. Mix pressure = 2000 psi Chemicaltemperature at mix-head = 80° F. Mold temperature = 140° F.  Demold time= 4 minutes

Foam reactivity was measured using a wooden, medical tongue depressor onfree rise foam made by dispensing about 200 gm of foam into #10 Lilycup. The foam core density was measured according to ASTM D-1622. Thek-factor of core foam was measured according to ASTM C-518 by cutting a12″×12″×1″ thick foam from the core of the produced foam laminatebetween 1-3 days of production. To measure the k-factor at 75° F. meantemperature, the hot and cold plate of the heat flow meter wasmaintained at 55° F. and 95° F. respectively. Similarly, to measure thek-factor at 25° F. mean temperature, the hot and cold plate of the heatflow meter was maintained at 5° F. and 45° F. respectively. PIR/PURratio of the foam was measured following the method outlined in thepaper titled “The PIR/PUR Ratio” on page 234-240 of the Proceedings ofPolyurethanes World Congress 1993. The higher the ratio, better is theflammability and structural performance of the foam.

The flammability properties of the foam laminate were measured on4″×4″×full thickness laminates following a hot plate test method basedon the one outlined in the paper titled “Flammability Study ofHydrocarbon-Blown Isocyanurate Foams” on page 561-567 of the Proceedingsof Polyurethanes Congress 1994. In this test, the closer the weight andthickness retention is to 100%, the better is the flammabilityproperties of the foam laminate.

The structural performance of the foam laminate was characterized bymeasuring dimensional changes after 7 days of exposure at −40° F. of12″×12″×full thickness laminates following the ASTM D-2126. In thistest, the closer the % linear change is to zero, the better thedimensional performance of the foam. Structural property of the foamlaminate is also characterized by compressive strength measurementsparallel to the thickness directions following the ASTM D-1621,Procedure A. A higher the compressive strength indicates better foamstructural performance.

Foam formulations 1 and 3 represent the current practice andformulations 2 and 4 represent foams prepared using the formulationsdescribed herein. A low k-factor value at 75° F. mean temperature and at25° F. mean temperature using the catalyst package described hereinindicate good insulation irrespective of season. Comparative foamformulations 1 and 3 give poorer insulation performance at lowertemperature. The remaining foam properties, namely flammability andstructural performance, of example and comparative foam laminates areequivalent. Thus use of the formulations and methods described hereinresults in foam insulating members having all the advantages ofcommercially available formulations while improving the low temperatureinsulation performance.

TABLE 1 Type Comp Ex Comp Ex Foam # 1 2 3 4 Formulation STEPANPOL ®PS-2352 29.53 29.50 28.55 28.86 TCPP 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 PEL-CAT ®9540-A 1.25 0.70 — — DABCO ® TMR-2 — — 2.00 1.10 JEFFCAT ® PMDETAcatalyst — — 0.50 — JEFFCAT ® DMCHA catalyst 0.27 0.84 — 1.10 VORASURF ®504 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 Water 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 N-pentane 5.77 5.774.12 4.12 Iso-pentane 2.47 2.47 4.12 4.12 RUBINATE ® 1850 isocyanate57.00 57.00 57.00 57.00 Calculated Parameters Index 283 292 279 292milimoles of first catalyst 4.79 2.69 6.40 3.51 millimoles of secondcatalyst 2.16 6.61 2.89 8.64 Molar ratio of first to second 2.22 0.412.22 0.41 catalyst Foam reactivity Gel time, seconds 16 16 16 13 Tackfree time, seconds 21 22 19 19 Core foam properties Foam density, pcf1.69 1.71 1.78 1.76 k-factor, BTU.in/ft².hr.° F. at 75° F. meantemperature 0.155 0.157 0.159 0.165 at 25° F. mean temperature 0.1650.159 0.170 0.162 Ratio of k-factor at 75° F. to 25° F. 0.94 0.99 0.941.02 PIR/PUR ratio 2.0 2.2 1.7 1.7 4″ Laminate properties Hot Plateflammability test % weight retention 88 87 87 85 % thickness retention87 88 82 78 Structural performance Compressive strength, rise, psi 18.218.1 17.6 18.2 Dimensional stab, % linear change in length and widthdirection −0.2 0.6 0.0 −0.1 in thickness direction −1.5 −0.6 −0.3 −0.5

Example 2

Rigid polyisocyanurate foams were prepared from the formulations setforth in Table 2 following the process outlined in Example 1. Table 2shows the results of three side by side pair-wise comparisons (i.e.,formulations 5 vs. 6; 7 vs.8 and 9 vs.10), each pair differentiated fromthe others by source of polyol and the pentane isomers. The data foreach pair demonstrate the effect of changing the molar ratio of firstcatalyst to second catalyst from high values such as 3.3-5.0 to a lowervalue of 0.41-0.43. The observed effects include a ratio of k-factor at75° F. to that at 25° F. that is closer to one indicating a uniformlygood insulation performance across the temperature, lower moldedlaminate core foam density for the same blowing agent level resulting inhigher blowing efficiency, and higher PIR/PUR ratio indicating improvedconversion to more heat stable isocyanurate bonds.

TABLE 2 Type Comp Ex Comp Ex Comp Ex Foam # 5 6 7 8 9 10 FormulationTerol ® 563 27.62 27.56 — — — — ISOEXTER ® 4404-US — — 30.12 30.08 — —Terate ® 3510 — — — — 29.35 29.16 TCPP 4.87 4.87 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00PEL-CAT ® 9540-A 1.15 0.65 1.25 0.70 1.25 0.80 PEL-CAT ® 9650 0.23 0.13— — — — DABCO ® TMR-2 — — — — — — JEFFCAT ® PMDETA catalyst 0.17 — 0.25— — — JEFFCAT ® DMCHA catalyst — 0.84 — 0.84 — 0.96 JEFFCAT ® ZF-22catalyst — — — — 0.31 — VORASURF ® 504 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60Water 0.11 0.11 0.08 0.08 0.11 0.11 N-pentane 8.25 8.25 3.85 3.85 — —Iso-pentane — — 3.85 3.85 2.52 2.52 Cyclo-pentane — — — — 5.87 5.87RUBINATE ® 1850 isocyanate 57.00 57.00 57.00 57.00 57.00 57.00Calculated Parameters Index 286 298 281 286 279 287 millimoles of firstcatalyst 5.03 2.83 4.8 2.70 4.80 3.06 millimoles of second catalyst 1.006.64 1.44 6.63 1.36 7.52 Molar ratio of first to second catalyst 5.030.43 3.32 0.41 3.52 0.41 Foam reactivity Gel time, seconds 17 14 20 1719 14 Tack free time, seconds 23 21 25 22 24 20 Core foam propertiesDensity, pcf 1.75 1.64 2.03 1.77 1.65 1.50 k-factor, BTU · in/ft² · hr ·° F. at 75° F. mean temperature 0.155 0.156 0.157 0.151 0.152 0.154 at25° F. mean temperature 0.195 0.160 0.180 0.153 0.181 0.154 Ratio ofk-factor at 75° F. to 25° F. 0.79 0.98 0.87 0.99 0.84 1.00 PIR/PUR ratio2.1 2.2 2.0 2.1 1.9 2.0

Example 3

Rigid polyisocyanurate foams were prepared from the formulations setforth in Table 3 following the process outlined in Example 1. Table 3shows the effect of changes in catalyst amounts. Significant improvementis observed in ratio of k-factor at 75° F. to that at 25° F. when themolar ratio of first to second catalyst moves from the currentlypracticed high value to a significantly lower value.

TABLE 3 Type Comp Comp Ex Ex Ex Ex Foam # 11 12 13 14 15 16 FormulationSTEPANPOL ® PS-2352 28.81 29.24 29.29 29.40 29.43 28.93 TCPP 4.23 4.233.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 PEL-CAT ® 9540-A 1.07 0.81 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.60JEFFCAT ® PMDETA catalyst 0.21 0.16 — — — — JEFFCAT ® DMCHA catalyst — —0.60 1.00 1.20 1.20 TEGOSTAB ® B 8535 0.56 — 0.45 — — — SILBYK ® TP 3805— 0.56 — — — VORASURF ® 504 — — 0.60 0.60 0.60 Water 0.16 0.16 0.11 0.110.11 — N-pentane 4.00 4.00 4.27 4.05 4.05 4.34 Iso-pentane 4.00 4.004.27 4.05 4.05 4.34 RUBINATE ® 1850 isocyanate 56.95 56.83 57.00 57.0057.00 57.00 Calculated Parameters Index 280 280 288 292 295 328millimoles of first catalyst 4.10 3.12 3.85 3.08 2.31 2.30 millimoles ofsecond catalyst 1.23 0.94 4.73 7.87 9.46 9.43 Molar ratio of first tosecond catalyst 3.33 3.33 0.81 0.39 0.24 0.24 Foam reactivity Gel time,seconds 23 28 14 11 14 11 Tack free time, seconds 33 41 23 20 36 25 FoamProperties Foam density, pcf 1.68 1.72 1.56 1.75 1.70 1.75 k-factor, BTU· in/ft² · hr · ° F. at 75° F. mean temperature 0.147 0.153 0.151 0.1520.154 0.154 at 25° F. mean temperature 0.177 0.179 0.154 0.145 0.1480.151 Ratio of k-factor at 75° F to 25° F. 0.83 0.85 0.98 1.05 1.04 1.02

Example 4

Additional rigid polyisocyanurate foams were prepared using theformulations set forth in Table 4 following the process outlined inExample 1. The results in Table 4 indicate that removal of fireretardant (foam 17), drastic changes to amounts of isocyanate and polyolor isocyanate index (foam 18), or addition of polyether polyol (foams 19and 20) to a conventional formulation does not yield the improved ratioof k-factor at 75° F. to that at 25° F. As seen in foams 21 and 22, alow molar ratio of first to second catalyst results in a foam with goodinsulation performance at either 75° F. or at 25° F. averagetemperature, irrespective of the other parameters of the formulation.

TABLE 4 Type Comp Comp Comp Comp Ex Ex Foam # 17 18 19 20 21 22Formulation STEPANPOL ® PS-2352 30.43 36.92 20.96 — 28.46 28.28Polyether polyol A — — 5.24 12.47 — — Polyether polyol B — — — 29.10 — —TCPP — 4.23 4.23 — 2.85 2.83 PEL-CAT ® 9540-A 1.07 1.07 1.07 — 1.06 1.06PEL-CAT ® 9650 — — — 0.46 — — JEFFCAT ® PMDETA catalyst 0.21 0.21 0.210.91 0.21 0.11 JEFFCAT6 ® DMCHA catalyst — — — 1.83 0.53 0.85 SILBYK ®TP 3805 0.56 0.56 0.56 — — — VORASURF ® 504 — — — 0.94 0.54 0.54 Addedwater 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.14 0.14 0.14 N-pentane 4.00 4.00 4.00 3.36 3.363.36 Isopentane 4.00 4.00 4.00 3.36 3.36 3.36 RUBINATE ® 1850 isocyanate59.57 48.85 59.57 47.42 59.50 59.50 Calculated Parameters Index 280 195268 110 302 303 millimoles of first catalyst 4.10 4.10 4.11 1.18 4.074.08 millimoles of second catalyst 1.20 1.20 1.21 19.67 5.39 7.29 Molarratio of first to second catalyst 3.42 3.42 3.39 0.06 0.76 0.56 Foamreactivity Gel time, seconds 20 22 24 25 12 11 Tack free time, seconds29 29 36 29 24 19 Foam Properties Foam density, pcf 1.66 1.77 1.52 2.212.04 1.87 k-factor, BTU · in/ft² · hr · ° F. at 75° F. mean temperature0.150 0.148 0.154 0.157 0.146 0.154 at 25° F. mean temperature 0.1820.181 0.181 0.147 0.145 0.150 Ratio of k-factor at 75° F. to 25° F. 0.820.82 0.85 1.07 1.01 1.03 PIR/PUR ratio — — — 0.37 2.18 2.33

Example 5

Additional rigid polyisocyanurate foams were prepared using theformulations set forth in Table 5 following the process outlined inExample 1. Foam formulations in Table 5 use polyester polyols with ahigher hydroxyl value. The data in Table 5 also indicate that a lowmolar ratio of first to second catalyst results in foam with goodinsulation performance at either 75° F. or at 25° F. averagetemperature, irrespective of the other parameters of the formulation,such as change in fire retardant package or the non-reactive tertiaryamine.

TABLE 5 Type Comp Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Foam # 23 24 25 26 27 28 FormulationISOEXTER ® 3061-US 25.66 31.24 29.53 26.57 — 25.11 STEPANPOL ® PS-3152 —— — — 30.80 — TCPP 4.23 — — — — 3.00 TEP — — — 2.98 — — SAYTEX ® RB79 —— 1.50 1.49 — — PEL-CAT ® 9540-A 1.50 1.07 1.08 1.06 1.50 0.80 JEFFCAT ®PMDETA catalyst 0.30 0.21 0.22 0.21 0.15 — JEFFCAT ® DMCHA catalyst —0.53 0.43 0.43 0.60 — JEFFCAT ® BDMA — — — — — 4.00 VORASURF ® 504 0.560.56 0.56 0.57 0.56 0.56 Added water 0.16 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.09N-pentane 4.00 3.35 3.49 3.49 3.34 3.43 Isopentane 4.00 3.35 3.49 3.493.34 3.43 RUBINATE ® 1850 isocyanate 59.56 59.56 59.56 59.56 59.56 59.56Calculated Parameters Index 245 214 218 246 211 271 millimoles of firstcatalyst 5.77 4.12 4.15 4.09 5.78 3.08 millimoles of second catalyst1.74 5.41 4.64 4.58 5.60 29.68 Molar ratio of first to second catalyst3.33 0.76 0.89 0.89 1.03 0.10 Foam reactivity Gel time, seconds 20 14 1414 12 14 Tack free time, seconds 27 18 19 18 15 30 Foam Properties Foamdensity, pcf 1.53 1.72 1.73 1.66 1.69 1.75 k-factor, BTU · in/ft² · hr ·° F. at 75° F. mean temperature 0.158 0.153 0.151 0.152 0.149 0.155 at25° F. mean temperature 0.175 0.144 0.142 0.147 0.139 0.144 Ratio ofk-factor at 75° F. to 25° F. 0.90 1.06 1.06 1.03 1.07 1.08

Example 6

Additional rigid polyisocyanurate foams were prepared using theformulations set forth in Table 6 following the process outlined inExample 1. Foams 29, 30, and 31 are comparative examples made usingreactive tertiary amines rather than the non-reactive tertiary aminesdisclosed herein. The data in Table 6 indicate that use of reactivetertiary amines does not yield the improved ratio of k-factor at 75° F.to that at 25° F. achieved using non-reactive tertiary amines.

TABLE 6 Type Comp Comp Comp Foam # 29 30 31 Formulation STEPANPOL ®PS-3152 29.50 29.16 29.50 PEL-CAT ® 9540-A 0.70 0.70 0.70 JEFFCAT ® DMEAcatalyst 0.84 — — JEFFCAT ® DPA catalyst — 1.19 — JEFFCAT ® ZR-50catalyst — — 0.84 VORASURF ® 504 0.60 0.60 0.60 Added water 0.11 0.110.11 N-pentane 5.77 4.12 4.12 Isopentane 2.47 4.12 4.12 RUBINATE ® 1850isocyanate 57.00 57.00 57.00 Calculated Parameters Index 274 274 292milimoles of first catalyst 2.69 2.69 2.69 millimoles of second catalyst9.44 5.46 3.44 Molar ratio of first to second catalyst 0.29 0.49 0.78Foam reactivity Gel time, seconds 18 19 16 Tack free time, seconds 35 2621 Foam Properties Foam density, pcf 1.58 1.72 1.79 k-factor,BTU.in/ft². hr.° F. at 75° F. mean temperature 0.155 0.16 0.153 at 25°F. mean temperature 0.211 0.19 0.181 Ratio of k-factor at 75° F. to 25°F. 0.73 0.84 0.85

The substantial improvements in low temperature insulation performanceof foams used in building construction are surprising and unexpectedespecially as all other desired performance attributes, such asexcellent flammability and structural integrity are retained. Theexamples suggest that the solution proposed herein is robust andinsensitive to application-specific changes in other aspects of theformulation, such as fire retardant, polyol, and/or surfactant.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A composition comprising: an organicpolyisocyanate; an isocyanate reactive material containing at leastabout 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of anaromatic polyester polyol; a hydrocarbon blowing agent; a first catalystselected from the group consisting of a carboxylate salt of an alkalimetal, a carboxylate salt of an alkaline earth metal, a carboxylate saltof a quaternary ammonium compound, and combinations thereof; and atertiary amine selected from the group consisting of a trialkylamine, analkyl amine, an alkylaryl amine, an aliphatic polyamine,diazabicyclooctane, 1,4-ethylene piperidine, N-methylimidazole,1,2-dimethylimidazole, 1,8-diazabicyclo(5,4,0)undecene-7, an etheramine, a saturated heterocyclic amine, and a combination thereof andwherein a molar ratio of the first catalyst to the tertiary amine isless than about 1.0, the tertiary amine is present in an amount of atleast 4.0 millimoles per 100 grams of the composition to 9.46 millimolesper 100 grams of the composition, and the composition has an isocyanateindex of about 200 to
 500. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein thefirst catalyst is selected from the group consisting of potassiumformate, potassium acetate, potassium propionate, potassium butanoate,potassium pentanoate, potassium hexanoate, potassium neohexanoate,potassium heptanoate, potassium octoate, potassium neooctoate, potassium2-ethylhexanoate, potassium decanoate, potassium butyrate, potassiumisobutyrate, sodium octoate, lithium octoate,trimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium formate, andtrimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium 2-ethylhexanoate.
 3. The compositionof claim 1, wherein the organic polyisocyanate is a polymericpolymethylene polyphenylene polyisocyanate having an isocyanatefunctionality greater than about 2.0.
 4. The composition of claim 3,wherein the organic polyisocyanate has a diphenyl methane diisocyanatecontent between about 15% and about 42% by weight based on the totalweight of the organic polyisocyanate.
 5. The composition of claim 1,wherein the hydrocarbon blowing agent comprises a hydrocarbon selectedfrom the group consisting of isopentane, n-pentane, and cyclopentane. 6.The composition of claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon blowing agentcomprises a blend of isopentane and n-pentane in a ratio of isopentaneto n-pentane between about 80:20 and 20:80 parts by weight.
 7. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the tertiary amine is present in anamount of at least about 4.5 millimoles per 100 grams of the compositionto 9.46 millimoles per 100 grams of the composition.
 8. The compositionof claim 1, further comprising a polyol selected from the groupconsisting of a polyether polyol and an aliphatic polyester polyol,wherein the polyether polyol or the aliphatic polyester polyol has anequivalent weight between about 40 and about 4000 and a functionality ofabout 2 to about
 8. 9. An insulating foam prepared from a compositioncomprising: an organic polyisocyanate; at least about 20% by weight ofan aromatic polyester polyol, based on the total weight of thecomposition; a hydrocarbon blowing agent; a salt selected from the groupconsisting of a carboxylate salt of an alkali metal, a carboxylate saltof an alkaline earth metal, a carboxylate salt of a quaternary ammoniumcompound, and combinations thereof; and at least about 4.0 millimolesper 100 grams of the foam to 9.46 millimoles per 100 grams of the foamof a tertiary amine, wherein the tertiary amine is selected from thegroup consisting of a trialkylamine, an alkyl amine, an alkylaryl amine,an aliphatic polyamine, diazabicyclooctane, 1,4-ethylene piperidine,N-methylimidazole, 1,2-dimethylimidazole,1,8-diazabicyclo(5,4,0)undecene-7, an ether amine, a saturatedheterocyclic amine, and a combination thereof wherein and thecomposition has an isocyanate index of about 200 to 500, the molar ratioof the salt to the tertiary amine is less than about 1.0 and wherein theinsulating foam has a ratio of thermal conductivity at 75° F. to thermalconductivity at 25° F. between about 0.98 and about 1.10.
 10. Theinsulating foam of claim 9, wherein the salt is selected from the groupconsisting of potassium formate, potassium acetate, potassiumpropionate, potassium butanoate, potassium pentanoate, potassiumhexanoate, potassium neohexanoate, potassium heptanoate, potassiumoctoate, potassium neooctoate, potassium 2-ethylhexanoate, potassiumdecanoate, potassium butyrate, potassium isobutyrate, sodium octoate,lithium octoate, trimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium formate, andtrimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium 2-ethylhexanoate.
 11. The insulatingfoam of claim 9, wherein the organic polyisocyanate is a polymericpolymethylene polyphenylene polyisocyanate having an isocyanatefunctionality greater than about 2.0.
 12. The insulating foam of claim11, wherein the organic polyisocyanate has a diphenyl methanediisocyanate content between about 15% and about 42% by weight based onthe total weight of the organic polyisocyanate.
 13. The insulating foamof claim 9, wherein the hydrocarbon blowing agent comprises ahydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of isopentane, n-pentane,and cyclopentane.
 14. A laminate comprising an insulating foam obtainedfrom the reaction of a composition comprising: an organicpolyisocyanate; an isocyanate reactive material containing at leastabout 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of anaromatic polyester polyol; a hydrocarbon blowing agent; a first catalystselected from the group consisting of a carboxylate salt of an alkalimetal, a carboxylate salt of an alkaline earth metal, a carboxylate saltof a quaternary ammonium compound, and combinations thereof; and asecond catalyst comprising a tertiary amine, wherein the tertiary amineis selected from the group consisting of a trialkylamine, an alkylamine, an alkylaryl amine, an aliphatic polyamine, a cyclic amine, anether amine, a saturated heterocyclic amine and a combination thereofand wherein a molar ratio of the first catalyst to the second catalystis less than about 1.0, the second catalyst is present in thecomposition in an amount of at least 4.0 millimoles per 100 grams of thecomposition to 9.46 millimoles per 100 grams of the composition, and theinsulating foam has a ratio of thermal conductivity at 75° F. to thermalconductivity at 25° F. between about 0.98 and about 1.10.
 15. Thelaminate of claim 14, wherein the first catalyst is selected from thegroup consisting of potassium formate, potassium acetate, potassiumpropionate, potassium butanoate, potassium pentanoate, potassiumhexanoate, potassium neohexanoate, potassium heptanoate, potassiumoctoate, potassium neooctoate, potassium 2-ethylhexanoate, potassiumdecanoate, potassium butyrate, potassium isobutyrate, sodium octoate,lithium octoate, trimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium formate, andtrimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium 2-ethylhexanoate.
 16. The laminate ofclaim 14, wherein the organic polyisocyanate is a polymericpolymethylene polyphenylene polyisocyanate having an isocyanatefunctionality greater than about 2.0.
 17. The laminate of claim 14,wherein the hydrocarbon blowing agent comprises a hydrocarbon selectedfrom the group consisting of isopentane, n-pentane, and cyclopentane.18. The laminate of claim 14 further comprising paper, metal, plastic,or wood-board.